Condos = Family Friendly?
A Condo can appeal to all demographics, they offer something to everyone. Affordability can also be key, not many homes out there can be affordable to just anyone. Whereas a condo can be the first home of anyone wanting to make an initial investment, with out the compromise of still enjoying life.
Sociability. Children living in a condo, especially a high rise, meet people on a daily basis in corridors, elevators, lobby and parking. They can learn to interact with others, how to be polite or considerate. They may become less shy and more sociable.
Diversity. Condos generally have a diverse population, especially in large cities, so that children are more likely to meet people from all ages and various backgrounds.
Peers. There are several other children around in the same building. This situation can help them make new friends.
Physical Activity. Many condos have a pool so that children can have fun while developing swimming skills. As well, many condos are located near a playground or green space.
Opportunities for Parents
Living in a condo may offer many advantages for parents in their role.
Less Work. There is much less housework to be done in a condo as well as less ground work outside. This gives parents more time for their professional work, family and recreation.
Easier Access. Most high rises are now built along or near a transit route: Parents and children spend less time commuting or in cars. It’s also easier to access grocery and drug stores.
Easier Supervision. It may be easier to supervise children’s social activities in a condo because it is a fairly self-contained vertical neighbourhood or a townhouse area that is quite compact. It’s easier for parents to keep track of their children’s whereabouts.
•Easier Internet Monitoring. It is easier to monitor children’s internet activities because rooms in a suite are near the others. We are familiar with the dangers of the internet for some children. Parents are bombarded with tips on how to monitor their children’s activities on the net. This is more easily done in smaller housing units than in a HUGE house.
Sociability. Mothers at home with small children nearly always meet other mothers in the same situation. In some condos, enterprising mothers exchange services and babysitting, arrange meetings, or go to a nearby park together.
Car Pooling. Car pooling for schools can more easily be arranged once parents know each other.
•Moving. When the family expands in size and age, it is easy to buy a suite in the same building so that children don’t have to change school or neighbourhood.
Opportunities for Extended Families
Do you need your parents to help in babysitting your children? Do you want your children to get to know their grandparents better? Do you want to help your aging mother or a parent who has become frail? While at the same time neither you nor your parents want to share a same dwelling?
Condos are ideal for this. I personally know several young parents whose own parents have bought a condo unit in their building. Each family has its own space. Yet, all they have to do to help each other is take the elevator up. No need dressing up and jumping in the car to visit grandma.
Similarly, condos are ideal when a mature couple or person wants to help aging parents. Here as well, I know of several cases where adult children have bought a suite for their parents or their mother in their building. Others have bought a suite in an adjacent building.
Condos are quite safe for older persons: There are no stairs; help in opening outside doors is readily available; accessibility to the street and nearby stores is easy.
